Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education - Infancy (Birth to 3 years)

In the Early Childhood Special Education Certificate Program, students gain knowledge and skills for a variety of careers in educational and intervention programs for young children with disabilities. The Certificate program is designed to meet the needs of persons who hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to earn an endorsement in early childhood special education with licensure to teach in a variety of early childhood settings. The student can transfer up to 9 credits of ECSE courses into the certificate program after being admitted (must be a subset of Certificate required course work) so long as the courses have not already been used toward a degree that has already been conferred. Transfer credits must be from UNLV or approved through an articulation agreement with the Nevada system of higher education. Upon completion of the Certificate Program, a Certificate student graduate can apply to the M.Ed. ECSE program. The student can transfer ECSE-Infancy or ECSE-Preschool Certificate credits into the M.Ed. ECSE program even if they were already applied towards the certificate; the Certificate credit transfer option is available for one year upon certificate completion. Transfer work must have a grade of B or better and be from UNLV ECSE course work. Students in certificate programs would be subject to the continuous enrollment policy of completing the program within 4 years. They would have to enroll in at least six credits each rolling three semesters (including summer). Please see Certificate Forms below for a list of required certificate courses.

In the Early Childhood Special Education Certificate Program, students gain knowledge and skills for a variety of careers in educational and intervention programs for young children with disabilities. The Certificate program is designed to meet the needs of persons who hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to earn an endorsement in early childhood special education with licensure to teach in a variety of early childhood settings. The Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)-Infancy (birth to 3 years) is designed to provide a comprehensive contemporary program of educator preparation addressing the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed for a variety of careers in infancy (birth - 3 years) education (e.g., early intervention programs, hospitals, day care, community education, agencies, and infant/toddler education programs).

Typical and atypical development of children who are under 8 years of age

ESP 771 Perspectives on Early Childhood Special Education

3.

Assessment of children who have disabilities and who are under 8 years of age

ESP 773 Assessment for Young Children with Disabilities

4.

Strategies for intervention or development of curriculum for children who have disabilities and who are under 8 years of age

ESP 775 Strategies for Early Childhood Special Education

5.

Working with families of children who have disabilities and who are under 8 years of age

ESP 772 Family Education in Early Childhood Special Education

6.

Issues regarding physical and medical management of children who have disabilities

ESP 774 Seminar in Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Special Education

7.

Coordination and collaboration of services among other agencies and disciplines which serve children who have disabilities and who are under 8 years of age

ESP 779 Early Intervention Service Coordination

Fieldwork - Infancy

ESP 780 (1 and 2) Fieldwork in Early Childhood Special Education - Infancy

NOTE: Upon satisfactory completion of the ECSE Certificate Program students can apply to the Nevada Department of Education to receive their licensure/endorsement.
NOTE: Upon completion of the Certificate Program students have the option of applying to the Master's Degree in Special Education. All approved certificate courses (satisfactory completed) will apply towards a M.Ed. in Special Education (ECSE). Three additional courses (3 credits each) are required to earn your M.Ed. Two of the three additional courses EPY 702 - Research Methods and ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education are required for a Master's Degree in Special Education. For information on program electives see your advisor. In addition to the three additional courses students will be required to take and pass the ECSE M.Ed. comprehensive exams.